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Students celebrate sweet victory

Seniors left Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday feeling content after the football team defeated Boston College 16-14.

Though the Irish won by less than he expected, senior Matt Sushinsky said he was still happy with the outcome.

“It is always nice to win, but I think we should have won by a lot more seeing as how we were playing Boston College. But a win is a win,” Sushinsky said.

Participating in the traditional Senior Day marshmallow fight was especially enjoyable for Sushinsky.

“The marshmallow fight was a lot of fun. It is nice that the seniors have a great tradition for their final home game,” Sushinsky said. “It did get a little messy, but I think we all had a blast.”

Seniors rushed the field after the Irish victory, a tradition Sushinsky said meant a lot to him.

“For all Notre Dame students, the field is a sacred place,” Sushinsky said. “Being able to go out there after the game and walk on the field where some of the greatest football players have played was a great finale to my four years here.

“It also was nice to touch the grass before they decide to get turf or something.”

Senior Meghan Donoghue said a lackluster effort by the Irish did not hinder the football environment.

“[Saturday] definitely was not the best performance I have seen in my four years here,” Donoghue said. “However, I was caught up in the moment of this being my final time inside Notre Dame Stadium as a student, so I was not affected by the play on the field.”

Donoghue said the atmosphere in the senior student section was amazing.

“Being around fellow classmates made us all feel lucky to attend a school where there is so much camaraderie,” Donoghue said. “Needless to say, it was a great ending to our four-year football careers.”

Senior Christina Carson echoed Donoghue’s feelings regarding the environment at the last home game.

“All of the seniors rallied around the fact that it was the last home game,” Carson said. “There was tons of spirit which was cool.”

Carson said going onto the field after the game was the highlight of the bittersweet weekend.

“It was fun to get on the field after the game, although it was not as climactic as previous years,” Carson said.

Both Donoghue and Carson agreed that the Irish offense must show up in Palo Alto, Calif., on Saturday if the team is to have a chance of knocking off the Cardinal.

“Stanford is a really good team,” Donoghue said. “Hopefully we can put on a good showing, but no matter the outcome, we have had a great run at it this year.”

Carson reflected on the loss of senior running back Jonas Gray to injury.

“The absence of [Jonas] Gray will significantly hurt our running game, but hopefully we will be able to put some points up on the board,” Carson said.